Electrically-operated railway signal and gate.



No. 836,243. PATENTED NOV. 20

- J. G. O. & I. D. OOMBS.

ELEOTRIOALLY OPERATED RAILWAY SIGNAL AND GATE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.20, 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1v mmionT m No. 836,248. PATENTED NOV. 20, 1906. J. G. O.& I. D. COMES. Y OPERATED RAILWAY SIGNAL AND GATE.

ELECTRICALL EB TSSHEET 2.

APPLIGATION FILED APR.20, 1906.

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- APPLICATION FILED APR.20, 1906.

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Wit" eases No. 836,243. PATENTED NOV. 20, 1906. J. G. O. & I. D. COMES.

ELEGTRIOAELY OPERATED RAILWAY SIGNAL AND GATE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 20, 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed pril 20, 1906. SerialNo. 312,874.

Patented Nov.20, 1906.

To all whom, it may concern:

Beit known that we, JAMES G. O. CoMBs and Isaac D. CoMBs, citizensof-the United States, residing at Harold, in the county of Greene andState of Mis'souri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inElectrically-Operated Railway Signals and Gates, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to safety appliances, such as signaling means andbarriers, for railway-crossings or like dangerous places, the purposebeing to provide novel actuating means for the safety appliances whichare adapted to be electrically operated from any point or points in thelength of the track from either approach and at any re uired distancefrom the crossing or like p ace to be safeguarded. v

The mechanism embodies a gate, an alarm, a signal, separate electriccircuits-including electromagnets as actuators, operating means for theseveral parts, and a plurality of circult-closers adapted to besuccessively operof the parts.

ated to energize the electric actuators to effect movement of thedifferent mechanisms. For a full description of the invention and themerits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details ofconstruction of the means for efiecting the result reference is to behad to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions bychanges the structure and minor detailswithout (lsparting from thespirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment isshown in the accompanying drawings,- in:

which Figure l is a plan view of a railway-crossing equipped with safetyappliances constructed in accordance with and embodying the essentialfeatures of the invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of the partsillustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatical view showing theseveral circuits, the electric actuators and the operating mechanisms.Fig. 4 isa detail perspectiveview of the signal, electric actuators, andoperating mechanisms. 5 is a detail view of the primary or electricsetting-actuator, showing the normal position Fig. 6 is a view similarto Fig. 5 of the secondary or signal-operating electric actuator and themechanismoperated thereby. Fig. 7 is a view of thethird or gateoperating electric actuator and the mechanism operthrow the safetyappliances out of action to prevent their operation by a switch-engine,hand-car, or other vehicle not designed to operate the mechanisms. Fig.11 is a detail perspective view of the gate-operating and the spectiveView of the setting and the signal-operating mechanisms.

Corresponding and like parts are referred toin the following descriptionandindicated in all the views of the drawings by the same referencecharacters. V

The invention is shown as applied to a single-track railway, although itmay be adapted to a double-track railway by slight modi- 'fications,which will readily suggest themselves to the skilled artisan.

As indicated most clearly in Figs. 1 and 3, the approach to the crossingis protected at each side of the railway 8 bymeans ofla gate 9, whichmay be of any pattern or make, said gates or protecting means beingconnected for simultaneous operation. A ,rock-shaft 10 extends beneaththe rails of the track and hasconnection with the gates so as to projectthe same into operative position or withdraw them to admit ofunobstructed travel along the roadway when there is no immediate dangerpassing the crossing. The gates 9 are adapted to close into pocketsprovided at the sides of the track and closed by means of hinged covers11, which are thrown" upward when the gates are projected and whichclose automatically when the gates are withdrawn or folded.

At one side of the crossing and at different ated thereby. Fig. 8 is aview of the fourth A contact-plate 12 7 o resetting mechanisms. Fig. 12is a detail per- The circuit-closers at one side of the crossing areindicated by'the reference-numerals 1 2, and 3, and the correspondingcircuit-closers at the opposite side of the crossing are designatedbythereference-numerals 1, 2, and 3. The circuit-closer 4., arranged at ornear the crossing When operated eiiect's a resetting of the parts and isactuated by trains passing in either direction. Electric actuators 1 123*, and 4d" are included in. electric circuits which are controlled bythe respective circuit-closers, and such actuators preferablyconsist ofelectromagnets of proper strength to performthe function for whichintended.

The'armatures-or movable parts ofthe ele'ctiic actuators are adapted, tobe connected in any manner with the respective mechanisms deriving"movement therefrom. The armatures of the electric actuators 1 and 4 aredependent upon each other'for positive movement, Whereas the armaturesof the electric actuators 2 and 3 are spring-actuated and areautomatically returned to norc; cuit when it'is not required to operatethe inal position by means of springs a when their respective electricactuators are devitalized, as by breaking of the electric circuittheretlirough. The main circuit is indicated by the reference-numeral -7and contains a current-generator 5 and a switch 6. The current-generatormay be either a battery or a dynamo-electric machine, and the switch 6is ,o'flsuch construction as to admit of its operation by the en ineeror fireman of a switchengme to brea the main circuit when it is notdesired to operate the safety appliances at the crossing. The severalelectric circuits, includingthe respective circuit-closers and electric"actuators, are designated by the reference-numerals 1, 2, 3, and 4 andby the referencenumerals 1 2 and 3 the latter connecting the respectivecircuit-closers 1, 2, and 3 with the corresponding circuits 1, 2, and 3.These several circuits are clearly indicated in the dia rammatical view,Fig. 3.

The switch 6, as i lustrated most clearly in FigflO, comprisesspring-contacts 16, a shaft- 17, crank-handle 18, and arm 19, the latterprojectingfrom the shaft 17 and'adapted to comebetweenthe'contacts 1t,soas to close the main circuit or to be Withdrawn from between saidcontacts to break the maincirsafety appliances. The switch 6 is locatedat any convenient point to admit of breaking the main circuit whenrequired, thereby permitting the shifting backward and forward of aswitch-engine without setting the safety appliances and restoring thesame to normal position. The crank-handle 18 extends within convenientreach of the engineer to admit of its ready operation from the engineWhile in motion.

The signaling means may be of any variety and, as il ustrated, comprisea semaphore and an alarm, the semaphore embodying a light forobservation at nightand the alarm being of the type to be electricallyoperated. The signalingmeans, as shown, are mounted upon a post20 atornear the crossing, so .as

to apprise persons of impending danger upon the approach of atraim Thevisual signal comprises a casing 21, secured to the upper end of-thepost 20 and provided in opposite sides w.th corresponding 0- enings. ;Ashaft 22 is suitably mounted :wit 'n-the casing and has secured'theretoplates 23, in which openings are provided to receive plain and coloredglasses, according to the system oi-signaling in vogue along therailway-tobe equipped with the invention.

A; rod 24 connects the plates 23 with one arm of a bell-crank 25, the

other arm of said bell-crank being connected by a rod 26 with-acrank-pin 27,fast to a-rockshaft 28. The crank pin 2'2 projects throughits supporting-arm 29, so as to extend, from opposite sides of said arm.The projecting end of the crank-pin extends across the path of a hook30, which is normally held out of engagement therewith by means of acrank-pin 31, fast to a rock-shaft 32,and which rockshaft has acrank-arm 33 connected by rod or bar 34 with the armature 35 of theelectromagnet or actuator 1*.

net or actuator 2 and its outer end-norof W chit is held away from thecrank-pin 27. Upon energizing the electromagnet or actuator ,1- itsarmature 35' is attracted, thereby turning the rock-shaft 32 andWithdrawing the crank-pin 31 from beneath the outer endof the hook 30,and permitting the same to rest upon the crank-pin 27, so that when theelectromagnet or actuator 2 is energized and its armature 36 attractedthe hook 30 will engage with the crank-pin 27 and rock the shaft 28 ando erate both the si a1 andfthe alarm: This atter o eration wi 1 be morefully described hereina" er.= A crankin 37 is fast to the rock-shaft 28and norm lysupports a bar or rod 38, connected to the armature39 or theelectromagnet or actuatorfi 'and'when the shaft 28 is turned the pin 3-7'is withdrawn fromqehgagement ;-With the part38 or moved to a positionto ad -10 5 The hook 30 is con- 'nected to the armature 36 of theelectromagelectro-magnet 3 its armature is attracted and moves the part38 to efiectoperation of the gate or like part9. A crank-pin 40, fast.to the. shaft 10, extends across the path of the part 38 andis ada tedto be engaged by a catch or stop-she der'thereof to admit of operationof the gate upon closing the circuit inclosing the actuator 3. I

The resetting means for restoring the arts to normal position embodies arock-.sha 41, having crank-arms 42, 43, and 44, the latter beingconnected,by means of a bar or rod 45, with the armature 46 of theelectromagnet or actuator 4*. A bar or rod 47 connects the crank-arm 42with the crank-pin 40, the latter having a limited play in a slot of theart 47 to admit of rocking movement of the s aft 41 when the parts arein normal osition without disturbing the same and a so pro viding forproper movement of the gate-operating mechanism without roducing anymovement of the shaft 41. X bar or rod 48 also connects the crank-arm 42with the crank-pin 37 and is provided with a slot to admit of saidcrank-pin having a limited movement for substantially the same purposeas the limited play of the crank-pin 40 in the part 47. A bar or rod 49connects the crank-arm 43 with the crank-pin 31 and is slotted toreceive said crank-pin and admit of the same having a limited movementfor the same purpose as the play provided be= tween the parts 48 and 47and cooperating crank-pins 37 and 40. After the electromagnets 1 2 and 3have been actuated to operate their respective mechanisms the crank-pins31, 37, and 40 will occupy a position at one-end of the slots of therespective connections 49, 48, and 47-, so that u on energizing of theelectromagnet 4 an rocking of the shaft 41 the several crank-pins willbemoved to restore the rock-shafts 32, 28, and to normal position and atthe same time returning the respective mechanisms and parts to aninitial position. V

The alarm-circuit is indicated by the reference-numeral 50, whichincludes a circuitcloser comprising the spring-contacts 51 and the arm29, attached to the rock-shaft 28 and carrying the crank-pin 27. The arm29 is either metallic or of such construction as to electrically connectthe spring-arms 51 when the rock-shaft 28 is moved to set the signal andthrow the gate-operating mechanism into osition for actuation uponenergizing the e ectromagnet 3". Normally the arm 29 is withdrawn frombetween the contacts 51; but when the signal-operating circuit is closedand the electromagnet 2 energized the rock-shaft 28 is moved, therebybringing the arm 29 between the contacts 51 and closing thealarm-circuit and at the same time setting the visual signal andbringing the parts of the gate-operating mechanism into workingposition. When the parts are restored to .primal position by vitalizingthe electromagnet 4 the alarm-circuit is broken by withdrawal of the arm29 from between the contacts 51. i

In the practical operation of the invention a railway. equipped withsafety appliances substantially as herein indicated is adapted to havethe mechanisms operated in successive order as the train approaches thecrossing from either direction. When the circuitcloser I or 1 isoperated, the electroma net or actuator 1 is energized and the rock-saft 32 moved so as to withdraw the crank-pin 31 from beneath the hookand admit of said hook resting upon the crank-pin 27, as indicated bythe dotted lines in Fig. 5. When the train reaches a position to operateeither the circuit-closer 2 or 2, the actuator or electromagnet 2 isvitalized and moves the hook 30 and rocks the shaft 28, therebysettingthe signal and the alarm and at the same time permitting the parts ofthe gate-operating mechanism to come into the cooperative relation bywithdrawing the crank-pin 37 from beneath the part'38 to admit of thecatch or shoulder of said part 38 engaging with the crank-pin 40 tothrow the gate into osition across the roadway upon energizing t eelectromagnet or actuator 3 when the circuitcloser 3 or 3 is operated.As the train reaches the crossing or passes by the same the resettingcircuit-closer 4 is operated, thereby closing thecircuit through theelectromagnet or actuator 4 with the result that the rock-shaft '41 ismoved and all the parts returned to normal position to be again actuatedby the next train. To prevent a too rapid movement or overthrow of therockshafts 28 and 32, a brake 53 is applied to each and consists of aspring arranged to expend its force against theshaft,so as to retard themovement thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1..Insaiety appliances of the character specified, the combination of agate, signaling the signaling means and for throwing the arts of saidmechanism into cooperative reation, a series of electric actuatorsincluded in separate circuits, independent circuitclosers forsuccessively closing the circuits IIO through the electric actuatorswhereby the several mechanisms are oparated in rotation to set the.mechanism to operate the signal and to project the gate into workingposition, and a resetting mechanism embodying an electric actuator andcircuit-closer for restoring the working parts to normal position.

' 3. In safety appliances of the character specified, the combination ofa gate, operating mechanism therefor comprising parts normallydisengaged, a signal embodying an electric circuit normally open,operating mechanism for the signal and for throwing the s'eparatepartsof the gate-operating mechanism into operative position, and a settingmechanism for throwing the signal-operating mechanism-into propercooperative relation for actuation at the proper time.

' cluded in independent electric circuits embodying circuit-closerswhich are adapted to be operated in rotation.

5. In safety appliances of the character specified, the combination of agate, operating mechanism therefor comprising normally disengaged parts,a signal, an electric alarm embodying a circuit-closer, operating meansfor the signal and alarm-circuit closer for throwing the disengagedparts of the gate operating mechanism into operative position and inturn embodying normally disengaged parts, and a setting mechanism forbringing the disengaged parts of the signal-operating mechanism intocooperative position.

6. In safety appliances of the character specified, the combination of agate, a signal, an alarm, a setting mechanism, operative mechanisms forthe several parts including independent electric actuators andcorresponding circuits, and two sets. of circuitclosers for therespective circuits arranged upon opposite sides of the crossing to beactuated by a train approaching from either direction.

7. In safety appliances of the character,

specified, the combination of a gate, a signal, an alarm, a settingmechanism, operative mechanisms for the several parts includingindependent electric actuators and corresponding circuits, two sets ofcircuit-closers for the respective circuits arranged upon opposite sidesof the crossing to be actuated by a train approaching from eitherdirection, a resetting mechanism for restoring the parts to normalposition embodying an electric actuator, circuit and circuit-closer, thelatter being common to the aforesaid two sets of circuit-closers so asto close the resetting-circuit after either group or set ofcircuit-closers have been operated.

in testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses;

JAE/ES G. O. COMES. {n s] ISAAC D. CQMBS. [L s.] Witnesses:

LoREN TURK,

J, R. MARSH.

